By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and Andrew Gans
04 Sep 2013

Danny DeVito

Photo by Heidi Gutman/NBC

Justin Bartha will join Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch in the Center Theatre Group production of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys, which will begin performances Sept. 24 in Los Angeles.

Thea Sharrock (Equus, After the Dance) stages the comedy that officially opens Oct. 2 for a run through Nov. 3.

Bartha made his Broadway debut in the 2010 revival of Lend Me a Tenor and later appeared in the 2011 Off-Broadway premiere of Zach Braff's All New People at Second Stage and most recently in Jesse Eisenberg's Asuncion for the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in 2011. He is known for his work in "The New Normal," "The Hangover" franchise and the upcoming "CBGB."

Bartha replaces the previously announced David Krumholtz, who departed the production for personal reasons.

DeVito starred in a 2012 London engagement of The Sunshine Boys opposite late actor Richard Griffiths, which Sharrock also directed. Griffiths, who died in March at the age of 65, had been announced to repeat his work for the CTG engagement.

DeVito will return to the role of Willie Clark, with Hirsch as Al Lewis.

According to CTG, "In Neil Simon’s play Willie Clark (DeVito) and Al Lewis (Hirsch) are former vaudevillian stars who, after a partnership of over 40 years, are no longer speaking to each other. When a lucrative television offer for one last show lures them into a grudging reunion, sparks fly in this classic comedy of showbiz and friendship."

"I'm so excited to be working with Judd again," DeVito said in a statement. "We did a play together 43 years ago and then, of course, did 114 episodes of 'Taxi.' I'm so excited – did I say that already? This is gonna be a total blast."

Hirsch added, "Here we go again ... just like Al and Willie ... I just can't wait."

Hirsch made his Broadway debut in Barefoot in the Park and performed in Lanford Wilson's The Hot l Baltimore and Talley's Folly. He won Tony Awards for I'm Not Rappoport and Conversations with My Father. He won two Emmy Awards for "Taxi."

DeVito won a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Louie De Palma in the hit comedy "Taxi." He starred in the film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," in a role he also played on stage, as well as "Terms of Endearment," "Matilda," "The War of the Roses" and his current series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

The production will have set and costume design by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting design by Neil Austin, music by Adrian Johnston and sound design by Cricket S. Myers. Casting is by Jim Carnahan with Los Angeles casting by Mark B. Simon.

The Sunshine Boys is produced by Center Theatre Group by special arrangement with Richard Willis, Sonia Friedman Productions, Roger Berlind, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Rupert Gavin and Darren Bagert/Martin Massman.

Tickets are available at CenterTheatreGroup.org, the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre, or by calling (213) 628-2772.